Club Spotlight: Biology Club

The Biology Club at Sacred Heart University provides an opportunity for students who are interested in biological sciences to get acquainted with faculty, staff and fellow students.

The club also focuses on bringing awareness to current biological issues.

“The club sponsors and co-sponsors various events on campus including colloquia and speaker series that focus on topics pertaining to the biological sciences,” said Mark Beekey, associate professor and faculty advisor for the club.

There are currently about 75 members of the club and these students work with one another to present and view original research or participate in projects that serve the local community.

“Everyone in the club helps one another out regardless of tutoring or even helping find a job through the department. It’s like a community and it makes going to the weekly meetings more exciting,” said junior Martha Sepulveda.

Students involved in the club use the resources provided to them by the club to gain experience in their field or even get in contact with research mentors.

“I have also found that becoming part of the Biology Club has allowed me to make friends with some students I had never met before,” said senior Keara Bohannon, club president. “It’s amazing to know such a large group of people who have taken the same classes that I have and had similar research or medical experiences.”

The club is also associated with Beta Beta Beta (Tri Beta), the National Biological Honor Society at Sacred Heart. Members are engaged in extending their knowledge through scientific research.

The funds the club earns through the tomato plant sale in the spring and selling club t-shirts goes to offsetting costs to take students to the annual Eastern Colleges Science Conference, where students can present their own research and see what research is being done by students at other colleges.

Not only are the funds for trips but they also donate to national organizations like for breast cancer awareness or local organizations like animal shelters in Bridgeport.

“I decided to get involved with the biology club because I wanted to be able to get frequent updates about the opportunities available to me,” said Bohannon.

The biology club also sponsors science-related trips and organized academic nights to help inform students about the resources available to them.

“It gives students the chance to interact with the Sacred Heart community through programs and it promotes the awareness of career opportunities and graduate programs in biology that students can pursue after graduation,” said Beekey. “In addition, the biology club also seeks to make a difference in the local community through volunteering and community service.”

Members are encouraged to work with other like-minded students and faculty.

“Ultimately, I hope that our members find that they can use this club as a way of finding new opportunities and meeting new people in their major,” said Bohannon.

If any students are interested in getting involved with the Biology Club they are encouraged to email Beekey at beekeym@sacredheart.edu.